Strengthening 'Eradication Efforts' Amid Rapid Increase of Malaria Cases in Gyeonggi-do

Malaria Eradication Task Force Regular Meeting

The number of malaria patients in Gyeonggi Province increased by 84.8% compared to last year. Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province will significantly strengthen its malaria eradication efforts.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 2nd, the number of malaria patients in Gyeonggi, which had been steadily decreasing from 2018 to 2021, began to rise again last year, reaching 427 as of October this year, an increase of 84.8% (196 cases) compared to the same period last year (231 cases).

The proportion of malaria cases in Gyeonggi Province compared to the national total was 57.1%. The estimated infection locations were domestic with 1,221 cases and overseas with 81 cases. By gender and age, the highest incidence was among males in their 20s at 33.1%, and among females in their 50s at 23.8%. By status, civilians accounted for 80.6%, active-duty soldiers 12.4%, and veterans 6.9%.

It took an average of 4.2 days for confirmed patients to visit a medical institution for the first time after symptom onset. The estimated initial diagnoses for confirmed patients were malaria at 62.1%, followed by flu-like illness (13.4%), fever of unknown origin (5.8%), unknown (2.2%), enteritis (2.0%), and COVID-19 (1.8%). It took an average of 7.2 days for patients to receive a final diagnosis.

Gyeonggi Province plans to strengthen management by establishing a comprehensive malaria eradication strategy tailored to regional characteristics, as the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency expands the malaria eradication project areas from 11 to 19 cities and counties within the province starting next year. The 19 cities and counties are Paju, Gimpo, Yeoncheon, Goyang, Guri, Namyangju, Yangju, Pocheon, Gapyeong, Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, Bucheon, Siheung, Hanam, Gwangju, Yangpyeong, Ansan, Hwaseong, and Gwangmyeong.

Yu Young-cheol, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Malaria Eradication Task Force and Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, "In line with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s goal of malaria zero by 2027 and malaria eradication by 2030, Gyeonggi Province will also strive to reduce patient incidence." He added, "Next year, we will take the lead in malaria response through multifaceted efforts, including strengthening the cooperation system among civilians, government, and military."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.